Cannula attaching apparatus, hat having means for attaching cannula and method thereof.

ABSTRACT

An attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a pre-existing hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he or she is mobile, and a hat that is capable of easily and removably attaching a cannula and can be desirably worn in public.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to attaching devices for cannulas and medical tubing, and more Specifically to an attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a hat for holding the cannulas of an oxygen user while he or she is mobile.

BACKGROUND

Because of various and common health reasons, many individuals must utilize the assistance of pressurize oxygen to breath. The level and frequency of use will depend on several factors, however, it is often the case wherein a person must utilize the assistance of pressurized oxygen during physical movement. To facilitate same, portable oxygen systems, such as tanks of oxygen concentrators, have been developed to allow more mobility to oxygen deficient users. Whether the individual is utilizing (stationary or portable oxygen systems, a tube (known as the cannula) is attached at one end to the oxygen source and the other end to the user. The traditional cannula is held in place by wrapping a portion of the tube around the user's ears.

However, this method has many disadvantages. The area behind an individual's ear is extremely tender; thus, use of the cannula in this means (even for a short period of time but especially long term or while mobile) causes the user discomfort, and may cause itching, chafing and even sores. A few possible solutions have been proposed; however, these solutions have been deficient for a multitude of reasons.

One attempted solution is a soft overwrap that fits on the tube and behind the user's ear. However, this solution is deficient in that it is bulky and uncomfortable for any extended use. Another attempted solution is shown in U.S. Pat. No. ______ to ______, although this attempted solution works better at solving the problem at hand (user discomfort), it is still deficient and falls short. More specifically, the ______ patent, is a head cover (i.e., hospital cap) intended to be utilized while immobile. Caps of this type are known to slip off if the patient is moving, and moreover, are unattractive and thus not likely to be worn in public by a user. Additionally, the device disclosed in the '______ patent is not adaptable to pre-existing hats and ball caps such as are typically worn in public.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for an attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a pre-existing hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he or she mobile. There is still a further need for a hat that is capable of easily' and removably attaching a cannula and can be desirably worn in public.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such an apparatus by providing an attaching apparatus and method that is adaptable to a hat for holding the cannula of an oxygen user while he or she is mobile.

More specifically, the present invention in its preferred form provides a means for holding the cannula in a secure position such that a user does not have to wrap a portion of the tube around the tender back area of his or her ear. In addition, all embodiments allow for quick release of the tube such. that a user can easily remove the hat and still have use of the cannula,

Thus, with its major aspects generally described above and below, the present invention is highly effective in reducing the discomforts associated with typical oxygen users. Accordingly, a feature and advantage. of the present invention is its ability to provide a means for eliminating the typical attaching method of wrapping a tube around the user's ear.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a means for quick release of the tube from the attaching means and/or hat.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be easily adapted to a hat thus allowing the use of the device in public while the user wears a hat of his or her choosing.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be manufactured inexpensively.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability for the tube to be easily released or engaged such that users with dexterity problems can operate.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will. be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown on a user;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention as shown on a user;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the attaching clip of the alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the attaching clip of the alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention as shown on a user;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the attaching clip of the alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the attaching clip of the alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1.7, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention is not, however, intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference number 10. preferably, the device 10 comprises hat 12 and two hook-and-loop holding flaps 20. Each hook-and-loop holding flap 20 comprises a first portion 22 and a second portion 24, wherein portion 22 is attached to hat 12 via glue, sewing or some other suitable attaching means on either side of hat 12 proximal to the user's ear. Second portion 24 extends from first portion 22 such that second portion 24 may be folded to allow hook-and loop fastener on the inside portions of first portion 22 and second portion 24 to mate.

In Use, the user can simply pull down second portion 24 and place a portion 32 of cannula 30 therebetween said first portion 22 and said second portion 24 then fold up second portion 24 thus mating the hook-and-loop and releasably locking cannula 30 therein. To remove, the user Can simply pull down on second portion 24 to release portion 32 of cannula 30.

Now referring to FIGS. 2-4, the present invention in an alternate embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference number 100. Preferably, the device 100 comprises hat 112 and two clips 120. Each hook 120 comprises a ring portion 122, a flexible arm 126, a second arm 124, a u-shaped portion 125 and neck 128, wherein ring portion 122 is attached to the hat 112 via preferably sewing, or some other suitable attaching means such as snaps or rivots, on either side of hat 112 proximal to the user's ear. Extending from ring portion 122 is neck 128 followed by clipping portion 129. Clipping portion 129 comprises a flexible or pivotable arm 126 that is urged in the closed position against second arm 124.

In use, the user pushes inward on arm 126 and then slides a portion 32 of cannula 30 within clip 120 allowing portion 32 to rest against u-shaped portion 125 thus holding cannula 30 in place. To remove, the user can push inward on arm 126 and thus release portion 32 of cannula 30 therefrom.

Now referring to FIGS. 5-7, the present invention in an alternate embodiment is hat having two cannula holding means attached proximal the user's ear and is referred to by reference number 200. Preferably, the device 200 comprises hat 212 and two hooks 220. Each hook 220 comprises a first ring portion 222, a second ring portion 224 and a u-shaped portion 226, wherein ring portions 222 and 224 are attached to the hat 212 via preferably sewing, or some other suitable attaching means such as snaps or rivots, on either side of hat 212 proximal to the user's ear. Extending from ring portions 222 and 224 is u-shaped portion 226.

In use, the user simply slides a portion 32 of cannula 30 within hooks 220 allowing portion 32 to rest within u-shaped portion 226 thus holding cannula 30 in place. To remove, the user simply lifts portion 32 of cannula 30 therefrom.

Having thus described the preferred and exemplary alternate embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the foregoing disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present version of the invention. Accordingly, the present version of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A hat for holding a cannula, comprising: (a) a hat; and (b) a plurality of cannula attaching means carried by said hat proximal to the user's ears;
 2. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula attaching means are hook-arid-loop fasteners.
 3. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula attaching means are clips.
 4. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 1, wherein said cannula attaching means are hooks.
 5. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 3, wherein each said clips comprise a first ring, and wherein said first ring is attached to said hat.
 6. The hat for holding a cannula of claim 4, wherein each of said hooks comprise a first ring, a second ring and a u-shaped portion, and wherein said first and second rings are attached to said hat.
 7. A method of holding a cannula off of a user's ear, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a cannula holding means to a hat; (b) attaching a portion of the cannula to said cannula holding means, wherein the cannula is not touching the ear of the user during mobility.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said cannula holding means are hook-and-loop fasteners.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said cannula holding means are clips.
 10. The method of claim wherein said cannula holding means are hooks.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said Clips comprise a first ring, and wherein said first ring is attached to said hat.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said hooks comprise a first ring, a second ring and a u-shaped portion, and wherein said first and second rings are attached to said hat. 